October 2009 marks the first anniversary for the Sustainability Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. This document outlines some of our work in our first year.

1. Sustainability Committee
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council
Year One in ReviewOctober 2009
American Planning Association - Los Angeles
Planning Excellence Award for Grassroots Initiative
American Planning Association - California
Award of Merit for Grassroots Initiative
Sustainability Committee

2. OUR MISSION
The Sustainability Committee is dedicated to empowering the
downtown community to create a culture of sustainability.
We will work with the community to increase accessibility to existing
programs and services through outreach and public education. We
will identify and create opportunities for new programming and
partnerships to meet our goals for a more livable, affordable, and
efficient urban center.
DLANC Administration
FY08-09 Budget: $200.00
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee met
FY08-09 Budget: $200.00 for the first time in October 2008 at
Ardas Cafe (owned and operated by
DLANC Board Member Jon Toktas)
near Pershing Square in Downtown
Los Angeles. The Sustainability
Committee had a $1,500 budget
from the Neighborhood Council to
spend before the end of the fiscal
year June 30, 2009.
Spent $387.20 Reorganized the recycled office furniture
to maximize daylight; purchased green power offsets, plants,
environmentally-friendly household cleaner, a Brita (instead of
Sustainability Committee
plastic bottles), and corn-based, biodegradable disposable cups;
installed signage with tips on “best practices” around the office After brainstorming ideas for our
for energy and resource efficiency (e.g. double-sided printing and
turning lights off).
projects and goals, the Sustainability
Committee members wrote a mission
statement to help people understand
our plans, establish a commitment
to the community we represent,
and create goals to make the most
efficient use of our time.
The next steps: the Sustainability
Committee applied for a grant to
bring in additional expertise to help
address the community goals and
did a small project - Greening the
Neighborhood Council Office.

3. LIVABILITY
Urban Beautification & Living Solutions
We will work to facilitate a vibrant downtown Los Angeles with clean streets, natural
shade, accessible public amenities, and green space. We will work with the community
to create opportunities for rooftop gardens and citywide composting to enhance the
benefits of living in a dense urban environment.
Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers
Project 2: Tree Planting
AFFORDABILITY
Equity Now and For the Future
We will identify affordable solutions for the workplace, home and shared public space
so all members of the community may benefit from more environmentally-friendly
options. We will highlight existing cost-saving rebate and assistance programs, increase
awareness and encourage participation through outreach. We will identify programs
that could incorporate assistance provisions so we can advocate for greater inclusion
of our community.
Project 3: Increase Participation in Cost-Saving Efficiency
Programs: Energy & Water Focus
Project 4: Increase Participation in City & Private Recycling
and Food Waste Programs
EFFICIENCY
Resource Efficiency and the Efficient Use of Resources
We will work with the community as we transition toward the more efficient use of natural
resources (water, waste, energy, land, materials, and transportation) by advocating for
increased participation and utilization of existing programs and community resources.
Project 5: Online Toolkit of Existing Resources
Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Grant
& Community Greening Strategy
EMPOWERMENT
Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice
We will engage Downtown stakeholders, including those not traditionally included, to
get the community’s feedback and best understand how we can help meet our long
term goals for a sustainable urban neighborhood. We will advocate on behalf of our
community to call attention to current needs with potential solutions. We will work with
community partners and local government on their future sustainability efforts.
Project 7: Event and Education Programming & Calendar
Project 8: Green Living Program

4. Education MAR 2009: DLANC Committee Chair Meeting on SDAT
JUN 2009: Tree Planting Community Meeting (1)
JUN 2009: Valley Regional Congress Outreach Panel
to engage our community on best practices and
give them the tools we need at work and home.
Learning what to do.
JUNE 2009 The Sustainability Committee
has hosted special public meetings to help
the community learn more about what they
can do to participate.
Knowing the correct information.
As our neighborhood changes, we need
different resources to help us with our
sustainability goals. A resource “toolkit” is
under development to help all stakeholders
locate the city services they need for their
Park[ing] Day LA 2009 home or business.
Outreach MAR 2009: Placemaking in Los Angeles workshop
JUN 2009: Tree Planting Outreach Meeting (2)
SEP 2009: Bilingual Postcard for Project 3 & 4
to increase participation in programs and services
to help meet our community sustainability goals.
Partner for community events. From the Ground Up
FEB 2009 We supported the Rotary Club of Community Tree Planting Project
Los Angeles Morning (District 5280) with Project Kick-Off Meeting
outreach for an e-waste recycling event
In partnership with:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
6:30pm-8:00pm
and volunteers during the event itself.
Neighborhood Council Office
453 S. Spring St., Suite 1020
Announcements are made regularly about
the Sustainability Committee at events like
Green Drinks.
Outreach materials to be shared. For more information,
As part of our communications strategy, we
contact Gunnar Hand, AICP
at sustainability@dlanc.com
wrote project reports to give the community SustainabilityNeighborhood Council
Downtown Los Angeles
Committee
the latest information on Sustainability downtownsustainability.blogspot.com
Committee projects.
Advocacy APR 2009: Supported multi-family reycling chutes ordinance
JUN 2009: Proposed Styrofoam ban research (restaurants)
JUL 2009: Energy Block Grant for LA Convention Center
to advance our community’s success
by asking for the help our neighborhood needs.
An educated community voice.
Through research, we have begun to
address issues of interest to our community
ranging from energy efficiency at the LA
Convention Center to the DWP MOU for
ratepayers. We are moving towards being
a more knowledgeable resource for our
community and the City of Los Angeles.
Your issues are important to us.
JUNE 2009 - Committee Member Stanley
Michaels presented research on Styrofoam.
The Bureau of Sanitation has now asked for
this research in reference to their policies.

5. 2009 Projects
The Sustainability Committee has developed
several projects to explore our community’s goals
and needs on issues of sustainability.
Community Leadership. Dedicated volunteers have
taken the lead to help the Sustainability Committee develop
We’ve developed several
these projects approved by the Sustainability Committee
Project Management Tools:
in February 2009. Our Project Leads volunteer their time
to host project meetings, manage the development of the
project, and report their progress to the Committee at large. Letter Templates
Thank you to our project leads for helping us get
Project Contact Tracking Sheets
our first year started with such enthusiasm and
commitment! Monthly Reports & Budget Forms
No matter the success of the individual project, we are Event summaries and website
learning from each endeavor, tracking our progress and
document our approach. We will continue to evaluate our
success (and failure) so that we can efficiently learn from
this experience to help us with the next.
Rooftop Container Garden & Composting Project
Project 1
Learning the rules to know what to change. Project Lead: Dawna Nolan
This project got off to a great start but has faced many
challenges. In January 2009, we had a presentation by Eric
Knutzen, author of The Urban Homestead, which inspired Check out some great pictures of
the Sustainability Committee to learn more about container green roofs in Downtown LA -
gardens and growing food. With a small investment in www.rachelraia.com/edgedesign
supplies, you can create your own urban farm in a small
(recycled) container - sounds perfect for Downtown /presentation/
apartment dwellers.
Project Lead Dawna Nolan has found community partners
who are interested in starting their own rooftop gardens
of all scales or would like to get more involved in food
composting. In June 2009, the Sustainability Committee
hosted an introductory meeting to bring together many of
the interested community members.
Since then, however, the project has been challenged
by the building and safety rules which limit the amount
of “load” or weight you can put onto a roof. Even a “self-
watering container” (basically a bucket with water in it)
could be considered a hazard. In addition, there are several
rules about composting which make it difficult to start
composting projects in multi-family housing.
Next steps: We are planning educational events for this We need volunteers! Please
Fall 2009 to inspire Downtown green thumbs and give you contact Dawna Nolan for more
the tools you need to start your own food-producing garden information or to get involved.
on your window sill, balcony or rooftop. We will be doing
some research to learn more about the rules limiting urban Email sustainability@dlanc.com.
gardens and will start advocating for change.

6. Signature Project Area
Skid Row Tree Planting Pilot Project
Project 2
Planting trees across the neighborhood. By planting Project Lead: Gunnar Hand, AICP
more trees in our neighborhood, we can reduce the heat
island effect and lower the temperature on sidewalks; Community Partners:
improve adjacent building efficiency; improve stormwater Council District 9 - Jan Perry
runoff; enhance the look of the streets for a more livable Council District 14 - Jose Huizar
environment. Department of Recreation & Parks
Department of Water & Power
A pilot to learn by example. The Sustainability Million Trees LA
Committee is focused on creating pilot projects that the Rotary Club of Los Angeles Morning
community can use and learn from as they too get involved LA Conservation Corps
in a more sustainable future for our neighborhood. We are Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust
working with community partners like the Rotary Club of
Los Angeles Morning to get their tree planting initiative 29
started downtown.
Commitment to tree maintenance. To help the Skid
Row pilot, the Sustainability Committee is developing an 21
ongoing maintenance plan for the first few years until the Tree Planting 2009:
trees are established. Potential New Trees by Street
Signature Project with Million Trees LA. In partnership
with the Mayor’s Million Trees program, the Skid Row Tree
Planting Pilot has been designated a signature project along
S. Alameda Street between East 4th & East 7th Streets 8 8
which means we will be able to plant 24 gallon trees instead
of the usual 15 gallon street trees. By planting larger, more 4 4
mature trees, we will have a shorter maintenance period 2
1
2
1 1 1
with trees more likely to survive the harsh conditions
downtown. TO BE PLANTED: 32 TREES TOTAL E. 4th
Street
E. 5th
Street
E. 6th
Street
E. 7th
Street
S.
Alameda
Central
Avenue
Gladys Industrial
Avenue Street
Kohler
Street
S. Los
Angeles
Towne
Street
Wilde
Street
Street Street
Plant tree here
The project objective is to plant
one (1) drought-tolerant shade
tree in every empty tree well
PLANTING DAY approximately within the Skid
Row community.
Saturday, October 24, 2009

7. Projects 3 & 4
Increase Participation in Cost-Saving Programs:
Energy & Water Efficiency - Waste Reduction
Using free resources for cost savings. Research has Project Lead: Corey Prost
started on City of Los Angeles programs that help businesses
and residents save energy, use less water, and keep more
garbage out of landfills. Corey Prost has been collecting Would you like to:
information for the business community on initiatives by
the Bureau of Sanitation, Department of Water and Power
Tour a downtown recycling
(DWP), and more. facility?
English and Spanish - thanks David McCreary! Lower your business’ trash
The Sustainability Committee would like to get involved fees?
with the Spanish-speaking community of Downtown Los
Angeles. We have the donated translation services thanks Dispose of electronics or
to our community volunteer, David McCreary. batteries?
Information for online resource toolkit. We are Cut your electricity bill at
working on City of Los Angeles services to share this with no cost?
Neighborhood Councils who would like to focus on their
community’s sustainability. This is a transferable tool that Email sustainability@dlanc.com
can help all Angelenos where they live and work.
SAVE AHORRE
WATER AGUA
CALL 877-728-2282 LLAME 877-728-2282
Commercial Water Conservation Rebate Reembolso por el Cuidado del Agua Comercial
Save money when upgrading heating, cooling, Ahorre dinero cuando mejora la calefacción, el
plumbing or landscape equipment. aire acondicionado, las tuberías, o el equipo
de jardinería
SAVE AHORRE
ENERGY
CALL 213-367-4215
ENERGÍA
LLAME 213-367-4215
Commercial Lighting Efficiency Offer (CLEO) Oferta para la Eficiencia de la Iluminación
Upgrade your lighting equipment, cut your Comercial
electricity bills, and look good while doing it. Mejore su equipo de iluminación, reduzca su
REDUCE
factura de luz y verse bien mientras lo hace.
REDUZCA
WASTE
CALL 213-485-2260
DESECHOS
LLAME 213-485-2260
Free Business Waste Assessment
Lower your trash fees by identifying what can Evaluación Gratuita de Desechos Comerciales
be diverted and recycled. Reduzca su cuota de basura a través de la
identificación de lo que se puede desviar y
SAVE reciclar.
AHORRE
MONEY
downtownsustainability.com
DINERO
downtownsustainability.com
Printed Imprimir con
responsibily responsibilidad
Sustainability Committee Sustainability Committee
1,000 postcards were printed from funds allocated from the FY08-09 Sustainability Committee budget.
This is the first bilingual (English-Spanish) outreach piece for us. Thank you to our community volunteer!

8. Project 5
Online Resource Toolkit
A collaborative approach: helping your neighbor. Project Lead: Ryan Saucerman
We are looking for people to help us develop content for the
website - an online resource toolkit. This will be an interface Ryan also designed the website for the
for the community to the City - a better approach to a more
sustainable neighborhood. If you’re interested, please let Downtown Women’s Center
us know. Website by Ryan Saucerman is expected to launch www.dwcweb.org
in January 2010. Join us for a project meeting, an upcoming
Project 6
budget conversation, and a new website.
Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) Grant
& Community Greening Strategy
$15K National Grant - Sustainability Committee. Project Lead: Veronica Siranosian, AICP
JANUARY 2009 It took eight months for the City of Los Angeles
to agree to an MOU (contract) after the Sustainability
Committee was awarded the American Institute of Architects
(AIA) Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant (SDAT). SDAT Visit is planned for
However, this opportunity has been covered by local media Dec. 2-4, 2009. Get involved!
including blogdowntown, Downtown News, Garment &
Citizen, Curbed LA,
A strategy on many different issues. MARCH 2009
Sustainability Committee hosted a meeting of the Downtown
Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) committee
chairs to discuss the SDAT process. The Neighborhood
Council has committees on issues ranging from: Affordable
Housing & Social Services; Arts; Economic Development;
Education; Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS); Planning
& Land Use (PLUC); Public Safety & Health; Transportation.
Team of professionals to guide our process.
DECEMBER 2009 As part of the grant, a team of professionals
will come to Downtown Los Angeles for a three day meeting
and project to help us with our sustainability goals. Last
SEPTEMBER 2009, the Project Lead Walter Sedovic, AIA,
LEED AP and AIA Center for Communities by Design staff
Erin Simmons and Joels Mills came for a preliminary visit.
The Sustainability Committee Chair hosted a tour around
the neighborhood with stops in:
The Standard, The Pantry, South Park, Bunker Hill,
Los Angeles Theater, AECOM, LAPD Headquarters,
Skid Row, Rainbow Apartments (Skid Row Housing
Trust), The Exchange with the EDAW 101 Freeway
Cap Park model, Dawna Nolan’s house, Chapman
Rooftop, Haas Building, Broadway, Million Dollar Sustainable Community Projects
Theater, DONE (Department of Neighborhood Internship (Fall 2009)
Empowerment) - General Manager Bongwhan Kim,
driving tour of Arts and Warehouse District including The Sustainability Committee has created its
a stop in the LA RIver, final lunch at Pete’s Cafe. first internship to increase research capacity,
develop more grant opportunities, improve
We need your help! $3,500 of a $5,000 community match outreach, and provide a dedicated resource for
We are looking for community partners to help us with this the community. Welcome Marc Ross!
process - we have already committed $1,500.

9. Park[ing] Day LA 2009
Event and Education Programming & Calendar
Project 7
Making it easier to get involved. With our online Project Lead: Volunteer Needed
calendar, we’ve been tracking city departments focused
on issues of sustainability from the DWP Solar Plan to the
Bureau of Waste Zero Waste program. The calendar will be
fully integrated into our forthcoming website and has a new
spot on our blog - check it out and join our mailing list.
www.downtownsustainability.com
sustainability This document is printed with EcoFont
using 20% less ink than regular fonts.
Download here:
http://www.ecofont.eu/ecofont_en.html
Project 8
Green Living Program
Partnerships can help us meet our goals. Pamela Project Lead: Pamela Tuttle
Tuttle has been reaching out to LACCD and Sustainable Works as
two potential partners for a green living program in Downtown
Los Angeles. By partnering with the student government,
Los Angeles Community College
environmental chair, district staff, and Sustainable Works, the
District:
Sustainability Committee would like to start a green living program
open to the public on the LACCD campus.
www.laccd.edu
Green education empowers choice. The Sustainability To sign up for the mailing list for the
Committee is focused on education as the primary means of Sustainability Committee, email us at
reaching our goals for a culture of sustainability. For Downtown sustainability@dlanc.com
to be more livable, affordable, and efficient, we are committed
to sharing knowledge and techniques for cost-saving tools for
your home and/or business. With a large workforce and diverse
residential population, we are committed to finding options that
are inclusive and practical.
Culture of sustainability. A regional center, Downtown Los
Angeles is a creative and diverse urban neighborhood that has
spurred innovation through its community. Get involved today!

10. Year 1 Stats
Sustainability Committee Year-in-Review
Thank you for your support!
Community Partners Here is the list of community Constant Contact: Report on Email Activity
partners we’ve worked with thus far: (since May 2009)
AECOM
Sent Bounces Opens Clicks Forwards
American Institute of Architects
American Planning Association Overall 3516
3.0% 30.3% 14.3% 0.3%
(105) (1035) (148) (3)
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
(University of California, Santa Barbara
Bureau of Sanitation Last 3 months 1842
1.4%
(25)
24.4%
(443)
13.3%
(59)
0.2%
(1)
City Council District 9 Office
City Council District 14 Office
Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles Prior May June July Aug Sep Oct Overall
New
Department of Recreation & Parks Contacts 51 93 61 1 1 12 4 223
Department of Water & Power Removed
0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2
Dawna Nolan Contacts
Gilmore Associates Do Not Mail
0 0 1 3 1 1 0 6
Historic Downtown Business Improvement District List
Indie Printing Growth 51 91 60 -2 0 11 4 215
Los Angeles Community College District
Total
Los Angeles Community College Student Government Contacts
51 142 202 200 200 211 215
Los Angeles Fashion District BID
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust Project criteria and checklist for
community involvement; community
Los Angeles Police Department Project 1 outreach and education; matching funds $900
to support community
Los Angeles Theater & Michael Delijani initaitives/involvement in effort
Mayor’s Office
Millions Trees LA $500 grant received from Los Angeles
Conservation Corps to be used for
Project 2 $500
Rotary Club of Los Angeles Morning Planting Day tee-shirts and volunteer
support.
SCI-Arc
Skid Row Housing Trust
United States Green Building Council Projects 3-4
Outreach events during weekdays,
evenings and weekends to increase $250
University of Southern California awareness of existing programs.
Our 2009 projects. Here is the list of our 2009 community- Website infrastructure development and
based initiatives for our first year: Project 5
maintenance; website capability
$600
enhancement; potentially develop tools
Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers in partnership with Education Committee
Project 2: Tree Planting
Project 3: Increase Participation in Cost-Saving Project 6
Community match
(share of $5,000 requirement) $1,500
Efficiency Programs: Energy & Water Focus
Project 4: Increase Participation in City & Private
Recycling and Food Waste Programs Parking Day 2009 ($200); ongoing needs
Project 7 to support outreach and events $1,000
Project 5: Online Toolkit of Existing Resources ($50/event)
Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team
(SDAT) Grant & Community Greening Subsidize pilot program
Strategy Project 8 (need-based) $500
Project 7: Event and Education Programming &
Calendar Organizational Organizational memberships and
Project 8: Green Living Program Memberships & cooperation; conferences and other $750
Grants resources; grant applications
Board Chair Ashley Zarella Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA
Director, Area-Wide Workforce, Private Sector (2008-10)
Budget Total Allocation $6,000
Public Vice Chair APRIL 2009 The Committee nominated
Jennifer Regan (AEG) for the two-year term ending 1/2011. FY09-FY10 started on July 1, 2009.

11. Masters students from the UCSB Bren
School of Environmental Science &
Management have taken on a research
project focusing on the environmental
advantages and economic impact of
transforming our “interstitial” spaces
into more livable open space. The team
is using Harlem Place as a pilot and will
begin working full-time in Fall 2009 to
analyze the potential of this space. Check
out their website for more information. http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~greenla/Homepage.html
A workshop for community feedback on open space.
Check out the different spaces designed.
Go online to downtownsustainability.com
Steve Davies of Project for Public Spaces
presented the benefits of public space
on sociability; access and linkages within
the community; comfort and image of a
neighborhood; potential shared uses and
activities.
Placemaking
Learning about the importance of healthy community
gathering spaces in cities. Sharing your ideas about
our neighborhood, parks, and open space.

12. For more information, please contact:
Ashley Zarella Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA
Sustainability Committee Chair
Director, Area-Wide Workforce, Private Sector (AECOM)
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (2008-2010)
sustainability@dlanc.com or 917-974-1891
Sustainability Committee